Did you make the switch to Windows Phone 8? Here are some “must have” apps

Microsoft has a steep hill to climb with its new operating system just to grab a noticeable portion of the market share. While the Windows Phone Store is brimming with applications, we can agree that apps are lacking in some areas, yet also excelling in others.

As with any smartphone, there are simply some good quality, free or low cost applications that many would regard as a “must have” on their device. Windows Phone is not lacking so terribly in many popular applications. Some of you may not know these applications are even available for Windows Phone.

By all means, this is not a complete list, but it is a great way to start, and with the other integrated features of Windows Phone these will give you time to find a worthwhile collection of decent apps from a fairly impressive catalog to choose from. Many of the apps ad-supported and thus free of charge. Of those, quite a few offer upgrades to ad-free versions. Costs for apps start typically at $0.99 and go up from there. You can check all these apps and more at the Windows Phone web-site.

Part of the Windows Phone experience is taking advantage of 7GB of free cloud storage in SkyDrive. While the MS Office and OneNote apps on the device offer access to your SkyDrive content, and the photo-hub does the same for your pictures, this app streamlines access in an even better and intuitive way. Version 3.0 was just released and allows you to fully manage files (move, delete, rename, create). This should be the first app you download.

SkyDrive

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This robust application quickly opens PDF files and offers integrated search for text functionality. The app provides alternate views and will save the spot where you were reading should you have to leave the app.

Microsoft PDF Reader

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GroupMe just underwent a big update for iOS (version 4.0). And a similar update is underway for Windows Phone. Expect this app to gain a lot more traction within the ecosystem since it is owned by Skype (who is now part of Microsoft).

GroupMe

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So, maybe you finally left BlackBerry and the stellar BBM behind, or you tore yourself away from iOS and want another way other than texting to stay in touch with friends. Or, you were using it and want to keep on using it. Well, you can.

WhatsApp

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Even in its free mode, despite the advertisements, the mix of music and selection is pretty good. It also plays in the background so you can do other stuff on your Windows Phone while listening to music.

Slacker Radio

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With OneNote baked in, and SkyDrive access, one might ask why this is a must-have. It is so popular across so many platforms with its own cloud back-up that it only makes sense to let you know that you can use the app on Windows Phone too. It features the familiar social integration and you can pin templates as tiles to your home screen.

Evernote

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Even if you don't have an account, you can try it for a month for free. The app was just updated and supports closed-captioning.

Netflix

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The newest installment of Angry Birds is a hit and the game play is engaging. You'll want something to distract you for a little while, here's your ticket.

Angry Birds Star Wars

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It is not yet available, but when it is, you will want to jump on it fast. It fully integrates into Windows Phone 8 and does not need to be running in order to receive calls or messages. While you are on a call, you will be able to read and respond to messages within the app.

Part of the Windows Phone experience is taking advantage of 7GB of free cloud storage in SkyDrive. While the MS Office and OneNote apps on the device offer access to your SkyDrive content, and the photo-hub does the same for your pictures, this app streamlines access in an even better and intuitive way. Version 3.0 was just released and allows you to fully manage files (move, delete, rename, create). This should be the first app you download.

Some "must have" apps for your new Windows Phone

1. SkyDrive

Part of the Windows Phone experience is taking advantage of 7GB of free cloud storage in SkyDrive. While the MS Office and OneNote apps on the device offer access to your SkyDrive content, and the photo-hub does the same for your pictures, this app streamlines access in an even better and intuitive way. Version 3.0 was just released and allows you to fully manage files (move, delete, rename, create). This should be the first app you download.

2. Microsoft PDF Reader

This robust application quickly opens PDF files and offers integrated search for text functionality. The app provides alternate views and will save the spot where you were reading should you have to leave the app.

3. GroupMe

GroupMe just underwent a big update for iOS (version 4.0). And a similar update is underway for Windows Phone. Expect this app to gain a lot more traction within the ecosystem since it is owned by Skype (who is now part of Microsoft).

4. WhatsApp

So, maybe you finally left BlackBerry and the stellar BBM behind, or you tore yourself away from iOS and want another way other than texting to stay in touch with friends. Or, you were using it and want to keep on using it. Well, you can.

5. Slacker Radio

Even in its free mode, despite the advertisements, the mix of music and selection is pretty good. It also plays in the background so you can do other stuff on your Windows Phone while listening to music.

6. Evernote

With OneNote baked in, and SkyDrive access, one might ask why this is a must-have. It is so popular across so many platforms with its own cloud back-up that it only makes sense to let you know that you can use the app on Windows Phone too. It features the familiar social integration and you can pin templates as tiles to your home screen.

7. Netflix

Even if you don't have an account, you can try it for a month for free. The app was just updated and supports closed-captioning.

8. Angry Birds Star Wars

The newest installment of Angry Birds is a hit and the game play is engaging. You'll want something to distract you for a little while, here's your ticket.

9. Skype

It is not yet available, but when it is, you will want to jump on it fast. It fully integrates into Windows Phone 8 and does not need to be running in order to receive calls or messages. While you are on a call, you will be able to read and respond to messages within the app.

Ok I love android and use it but I have to give it to WP...if not anything the look and feel of the OS is amazingly sexy! And from what I have used on previous windows devices the os is perfectly optimized so there are no hiccups, lags, freezes, etc. It runs smooth as butter, looks great, has enough apps on its marketplace with a very rapidly growing app ecosystem. Also WP is easily integrated to your pc/laptop and is compatible with the android ecosystem and vice-versa.

The way I see it you cant go wrong with Windows Phone but if you're still jittery I suggest you keep an android device as primary and try out a WP device as your secondary device.

nah the tile experience isnt bad at all...its quite good and practiccally 85% of apps on all phones across platforms are the same like a person requires a good movie player, music player, email client, social hub, browser and few exceptional apps that are exclusive to his phone.

Therefore neither can you go wrong with android nor can you go wrong with WP. If not anything the app interface of your everyday familiar apps are different in WP giving you a fresh experience itself.
Compatibility between android an wp isnt a problem like iOS so you dont have to worry about syncing information across devices.

The tile interface gives you something fresh to look froward to and I am very sure you wont get bored with a new interface at least for a year....

the calendar in WP is of windows mail or outlook and has cloud enabled services. Moreover it can be synced with your Google Calendar so whatever you have on your WP calendar will show on Google calendar and vice versa :)
IAs far as I know Google drive is there for Windows and Windows phone but just be sure about the availability on WP....it makes no sense if it isnt available on WP.

6.XPERIA-KNIGHT (unregistered)

Im unsure wich is better between wp and ios! to be honest with you......One is highly restricted and the other is really cluttered and unorganized! So I guess well have to give windows phone more time and see where they take it and how they develop.....as im pretty sure Ios is not going to be "unrestricted" anytime soon........As of now I feel android is the best option and is only getting better as jelly bean and more updates continue to roll out but I feel you may get somthing you like out of windows phones so watch some reviews on it and make a solid choice :)

I switched from ICS to WP7.5 and haven't looked back. I do miss some of the popular apps (which are coming anyway), and some of the automation options, but it is sooooooo much more intuitive, fun, and overall more satisfying. WP8 will be even better.

I tried one of the WP7 emulators/launchers on Android and was impressed at the elegant yet simple-seeming interface, and gradually was using only that, not the Android side.

16.Hemlocke (unregistered)

I bought the 920 today. I liked the 900, but the hardware and missing apps left me cold. I did like the Nokia apps. Now I have the best of both worlds: Good hardware, Nokia apps, more of the tops apps have made the transition, and the best camera on the three major platforms. Oh, and the free wireless charging station didn't hurt. Out the door for $489 for everything.

Android should be light in resources.
Like symbian was.
Windows will be a winer
in between Apple&Android
if they keep WP8 light.
And NOT filled with patches.
Or service packs.
Otherwise will be a
succes like Vista.

two comments. one. i am sooo sick of these f**n popups on iphonearena. i don't mindthem paying the bills with ads, but not the pop up style. i know you can block them, but you still notice the pause. two. i used windows phone twice and went back to android both times. once you go to android, you really get used to the awesomeness of the customization and widgets. i love android. it is almost as smooth as windows now with jelly bean. don't get me wrong, windows is very refreshing but just seems lacking and very boring. kinda of like ios with squares. just my two cents fellows. i am not knocking windows. try it, it just was not for me. anything but chrapple please.

18.papss (unregistered)

I switched from a lumia 800 to a note 2. Yea, I know, the price is different, the timing is different, but based on my experience with android, it is definitely wayy better than windows phone. Open source, customization, hardware, apps, productivity. :P

I tried samsung focus s windows phone 7.5 for a month. Its very interesting at first with its smooth buttery experience and live tiles. Slowly I lost interest looking at the same colored rectangular/squared boxes (or may be few options which I don't like). Also, some of the apps like IM+, tango are very glitchy. And I miss the stock quotes, vonage, google drive, youtube apps which I use a lot. Finally I went back to my skyrocket and am happy. Its good experience to try windows phone for a month.. ;)

Windows Phone 7.5 isn't Windows Phone 8. I think it might be a good idea to spend a month with the newer version. Also, Samsung pales in comparison to Nokia in terms of build quality. So you might want to give Nokia a shot too.

i kinda feel that because of the uniformity you're basically wanting a different version of ios its just too plain for me its very smooth so is ios but there very reasons why i wouldn't switch there is why i can't personally switch to wp8 another tech giant telling you stay in line with shapes it makes it easier simple enough i unlock my phone directly to the dialer or the camera or what ever i want because i have options wp just seems too conformed to me and please be an adult if you thumbs down comment a long with it

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